Editorial: Chasing fads won't fix North Carolina

Friday, Feb. 15, 2019 -- North Carolina has too many people who can't access adequate health care; too many children who are not getting the high-quality public education they've been promised and; too many citizens who are denied, by illegal gerrymandering, adequate representation in Congress and the state legislature. Officials should focus on the real issues. It's time to stop chasing the latest fads.

Posted 10:00 a.m. Feb 15, 2019 — Updated 10:00 a.m. Feb 15, 2019

CBC Editorial: Friday, Feb. 15, 2019; Editorial #8391

The following is the opinion of Capitol Broadcasting Company

Does an inflammatory remark -- “being black in America under number 45 has created homegrown terrorist wearing blue uniforms” -- in the wake of the shooting of unarmed African Americans bar someone from service on the state Human Relations Commission?

Yes, according to 29 state Senate Republicans and Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who rescinded the appointment.

It seems that reflexive demands for resignations is the latest craze sweeping the nation –not just the state.

Cooper’s also called on Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam to resign after revelation of a photo showing one person in black face and another dressed in a Ku Klux Klan robe was on his med school yearbook page. It seems that Northam’s long record in public service, showing consistent support for voting rights and opposition to discrimination in employment or to receive public assistance, didn’t add up to much.

Before getting too swept up in it all, it’s time for some reflection and taking a step back.

Charlotte City Councilwoman LaWana Mayfield’s comments were highly charged. But her point, that there are troubled relations between law enforcement and ALL the people they should be protecting, is a critical problem and she doesn’t believe police are focusing on addressing it. “We need to look at the bigger issues in our community,” she’s said. Is that a voice that a Human Relations Commission needs to hear? We think so.

Gov. Northam’s record of public service is one that has promoted inclusiveness, support for minority rights and fairness. It represents a personal evolution from and over shadow an inappropriate and nasty event 30 years in the past. Will ALL the people of Virginia be better off without his leadership? We doubt it.

Cooper did stand up to the tide in his choice of highly capable Cheri Beasley to be the next chief justice of the State Supreme Court. He didn’t bend to pressure from the Republican establishment – and Republican Justice Paul Newby himself – to pick the senior-most justice for the court’s top spot.

Cooper’s choice was to protect the integrity and independence of the court – which has been under constant attack from the General Assembly’s Republican leadership. The legislature’s most recent efforts to control the courts was overwhelmingly repudiated last November by the state’s voters. Senate leader Phil Berger’s quick criticism of Cooper’s appointment was further evidence of the legislature’s motives.

If governing were baseball, batting one-for-three would make him a star. But governing isn’t a sport. It’s Cooper’s job – as well as the job of others who are elected or appointed to serve – to strive to do the best for the citizens ALL the time.

Focus on making North Carolina a good place to live for all; offer opportunities for the fallen to redeem themselves, recognize it when it happens and give them the chance to improve others’ lives.

North Carolina has too many people who can’t access adequate health care; too many children who are not getting the high-quality public education they’ve been promised and; too many citizens who are denied, by illegal gerrymandering, adequate representation in Congress and the state legislature.

Focus on the real issues. It’s time to stop chasing the latest fads.

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